Piasa Armory owner Scott Pulaski waits on customers this week at the gun shop in the first block of East Broadway. The popular business is moving to a new location on September 1 in a former auto dealership building at the opposite end of East Broadway near the East Alton border. less

Piasa Armory owner Scott Pulaski waits on customers this week at the gun shop in the first block of East Broadway. The popular business is moving to a new location on September 1 in a former auto dealership ... more

Photo: John Badman | The Telegraph

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The new location of Piasa Armory will be in the old car dealership on East Broadway near the Homer Adams Parkway extension.

The new location of Piasa Armory will be in the old car dealership on East Broadway near the Homer Adams Parkway extension.

Photo: John Badman | The Telegraph

Image 3 of 3

Piasa Armory moving, expanding services

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ALTON — Scott Pulaski, owner of Piasa Armory, has encountered his fair share of troubles in establishing his gun retail and repair business — but after more than four years, his plans for a larger location and full gun-range are finally coming to fruition.

Pulaski, 30, plans to move his business from its current 2,000-square-foot location at 13 E. Broadway Ave. to a former car dealership that measures in at a whopping 18,000 square-feet. The last day at Piasa’s current location will be August 31.

The move comes two and a half years after Piasa was bumped from its first brick-and-mortar location at 115 Market St. next to the Oasis Women’s Center. Pulaski first operated his business out of his home starting in 2012.

Members of the center’s board opposed Pulaski’s shop, saying some residents of the domestic abuse victim shelter could be traumatized by seeing people entering and leaving Piasa Armory with gun cases. A city council vote ultimately pushed Pulaski to move around the corner.

But at the new location at 3685 East Broadway Ave., Pulaski’s long-time goal of opening a gun range and full-service gunsmith shop will become a reality — if the city council approves his petition for a special use permit to operate a gun store and gun range in the former Nissan car dealership. Pulaski’s public hearing is set for September 6.

The current city administration’s policy will allow Pulaski to begin operations immediately after moving on September 1 because he is in the process of obtaining a special permit, Pulaski said, though city council will still have to approve the permit.

If all goes well with the city, Pulaski says he plans to hire at least one more full-time employee to help operate the new facility. He will offer the same services as at his current location — including gun sales, in-house gun repair, concealed carry and firearm training, gun cleaning, and self-defense classes — but with expanded gunsmithing capabilities and, eventually, a gun range.

The range will be the only indoor, public shooting range in the area, Pulaski says. There are private and outdoor ranges in the area, but his business will meet an unfulfilled need, he added. The range will measure 14 firing lanes split into two bays, and should be in operation later this year.

Also to remain the same is the company’s mission, says Pulaski, an Eagle Scout. A focus on education and “safety, safety, safety” is important to the business, he said.

“From the start, part of the philosophy has always been ‘everybody.’ You don’t have to be a world-record top-shooter. It’s for somebody from that level to somebody who’s never seen a gun before. We’re willing to teach anybody who’s inexperienced, anyone who’s curious, anyone who’s afraid,” Pulaski said.

Pulaski says while his shop’s merchandise leans toward self-defense, he also stocks items geared for sport and hunting.

Dave Heeren, a gunsmith for Piasa, says he’s looking forward to having a new workspace with room enough for a new lathe and mill. And, the Olin retiree says, he’s looking forward to offering more to the community.

“We see all kinds of people. All walks of life,” Heeren said. “We take the time to talk to people. We’ve formed a community.”

Pulaski’s public hearing will take place at 1:15 p.m. on September 6 at the Alton City Council Chambers at 101 E. Third St. in Alton.